Adam M. DavisCenter for Geospatial Data AnalysisIndiana University, Bloomington, IN

Studying geological controlson succession in an old field:

Progress toward a resource estimation model

Understanding geological influences on succession

• Predict the nature and quality of ecological resources after secondary succession

• Predict impacts of land uses on biodiversity

• Provide information for quantifying global climate change impacts on ecosystems

Research Goal

Bedrock Depth

LightPlant

Interaction

Drainage

Slope

SoilChemistry

Land Use History

SuccessionModel

Inputs

Predicted Map of Plant Communities

Output

Old field Geo-ecology study

• Soil nutrients and pH

• Soil moisture

• Tree ID and size

• Herbaceous plant ID and biomass

• Hypotheses for future work

Nitrogen

0.08

0.09

0.1

0.11

0.12

0.13

0.14

0.15

% N

itro

gen

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Plot ID

Sh

ann

on

Bio

div

ersi

ty I

nd

ex

Biodiversity

R2 = 0.4806

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

4.60 4.80 5.00 5.20 5.40 5.60 5.80

pH

Pin

us

Conclusions• Many interrelated factors contribute to

species distributions and biodiversity

• A soil pH gradient (possibly due to biotic interactions) or another factor related to Pinus Sp. may have affected plant distribution in the old field

• Higher soil moisture may mediate this effect in some cases, such as Sassafras Sp. distribution

Next Steps• Further analysis of tree, herb, water, soil, and slope

datasets• Assess relative contributions of geologic factors to plant

species distributions• Examine Pinus distribution and associated soil + slope

properties • Continue to investigate the hydrology – 3-D soil moisture• Investigate the role of the bedrock in the system. Does

the drainage of the field involve fracture and solution channel flow?

What is the role of the Limestone?

Next Steps• Further analysis of tree, herb, water, soil, and slope datasets

• Assess relative contributions of geologic factors to plant species distributions

• Examine Pinus distribution and associated soil + slope properties

• Continue to investigate the hydrology – 3-D soil moisture

• Investigate the role of the bedrock in the system. Does the drainage of the field involve fracture and solution channel flow?

• Meta-analysis of data from the literature to create a “straw-person” model

• Collect data and compare results for old fields in very different geologic settings

• Investigate potential applications and clients– Ecological unit mapping for resource estimation– Carbon sequestration before and after crops